SF359 - A GUEST IN GOD'S HOUSE (Psalm 15)
Romans 8:3-4; Psalm 15
INTRODUCTION
Romans 8:3-4
Paul speaks here of the man whose lifestyle conforms (according to) to the Spirit.
This person is one who fulfills the requirement of the law.
The question is what does this person’s life look like.
What is necessary to fulfill God’s requirements?
Psalm 15:1-5
David asks two stirring questions (15:1)
How must we live in order to enjoy the fullness of fellowship with God?
Three important facts:
Ø This is not a question about how to be saved.
It is a question about the type of character of which God approves.
Ø The answer given here is representative not exhaustive.
There are similar list, Psalm 24, Isaiah 33.
Ø David employs Hebrew parallelism.
Where two thoughts are joined to express one complete proposition.
There are six couplets in this psalm each of which introduces a separate characteristic of a person who is walking according to the Spirit.
1A. His Character (15:2a)
1B. Consistent in his obedience
Blameless, to be whole, sound. To be morally well-rounded and grounded
Does not vacillate in his commitment to keep the commandments.
2B. Proactive in his service
Actively engaged in doing righteousness. (Matthew 25:34-40)
Matthew 25:34-40 (ESV) Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
James 2:14-17 (ESV) What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
2A. His Speech (15:2b-3a)
1B. Speaking the truth (15:2b)
Literally to be trustworthy
Ø Like God the Father
John 17:3 (ESV) 3 And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
Ø Like Christ (John 14:6)
Ø Like the Holy Spirit
John 14:17 (ESV) even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.
Ø Like the Word
John 17:17 (ESV) Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
2B. Refusing to gossip (15:3a)
Roaming, unguarded words that “wander” about without any restraint.
James 1:26 (ESV) If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.
3A. His Conduct (15:3b)
He not only disciplines his words but he also brings his attitudes and actions under the control of the Holy Spirit.
1 John 2:3-5 (ESV) And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him:
Do you treat other people with respect?
Do you talk down to others?
James 2:1, 8-10 (ESV) My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory… If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.
4A. His Values (15:4a)
Vile = useless dross produced when gold is fired.
1 John 2:15 (ESV) Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
Who are your role models?
Who do you look up to?
Whose actions and character do you find offensive?
5A. His Integrity (15:4b)
Matthew 5:37 (ESV) Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.
Anyone can keep his word when it brings benefits.
But will you keep your word when it costs you to do so?
6A. His Use of Money (15:5a)
Refuses to take advantage of others
Exodus 22:25 (ESV) “If you lend money to any of my people with you who is poor, you shall not be like a moneylender to him, and you shall not exact interest from him.
Ø Will not put making money ahead of the well being of others.
Refuses to be influenced by the bottom line
Exodus 23:8 (ESV) And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of those who are in the right.
Ø Justice and right are not for sale.
Application
Here is the portrait of one who pleases God, who is walking according to the Spirit.
Does this describe you?
If not there is good reason to doubt your salvation.
If so you can never be shaken.